Poverty during the Covid-19 crisis

Original analysis from WPI Economics and the Legatum Institute using the Social Metrics Commission’s approach to poverty measurement demonstrates both the likely impacts of Covid-19 on poverty and the insulating effect that Government policy has had.

The survey data that underpins the measurement of poverty in the UK and covers the pandemic period will not be available until 2022. This is obviously too late for decision makers who are seeking to ensure that the most vulnerable are shielded from the worst impacts of the pandemic.

To fill the gap, this briefing presents the results of a ‘nowcasting’ exercise using the most up-to-date data on employment, earnings, and Government policy available, along with a range of assumptions, to model the likely level and distribution of poverty in both Summer and Winter 2020.

Click here to read the full briefing.